asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when the draft legislative proposals on co-operative agricultural societies, which were announced in paragraph 5.101 of the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development to be in course of preparation, were circulated to the interests concerned for discussion; if he will indicate the interests in question and the number of meetings which have taken place; when he expects to introduce the legislation; and the reasons for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Societies.
48.
A first draft of legislative proposals on agricultural co-operative societies was furnished in March, 1969, to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society as the body primarily concerned with the promotion and organisation of such societies. In November, 1969, the IAOS suggested various amendments and extensions. A revised draft has not yet been finalised because of the necessity to co-ordinate the legislative proposals here with a proposed EEC regulation on producer groups, which has not yet been enacted. A legal obstacle to the amalgamation of co-operative creamery societies was, of course, removed by the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Act, 1971.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that legislation dealing with co-operative societies has been kicked around in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries during the past seven or eight years and could he tell us when he expects to introduce the legislation which was promised in the Third Programme?
We will now have to have a look at it because of the necessity to co-ordinate legislative proposals with a proposed EEC regulation.
You have been looking at it for three years.
This is a very serious matter and we are discussing it with the farming organisations who are vitally concerned. We cannot rush into anything.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary furnish a copy of the draft proposals to other bodies besides the IAOS?
We will discuss it with the interested parties at the proper time.